Back on July 29, 2012, I took a chance while still going about my regularly scheduled life. Three kids. One husband. A couple of dogs. A full-time job. I couldn’t have predicted what would happen next.

I never imagined the friendships, the readers, or the community that would come from that single decision. Some of you have been with me since Conviction. Others found me last month. No matter when you arrived, thank you for spending your time with my stories. Every preorder, every review, every message, every recommendation to a friend… you’ve made this journey possible.

Publishing a book isn’t just about sitting down at the keyboard and spending your day with your muses. If only it were that easy. There’s also marketing, accounting, websites, branding, contracts, production, distribution, and about a hundred other things I never expected to learn. Looking back, I’m grateful I did because those lessons helped me build an entire publishing business, an incredible community, and readers around the world.

If I could go back and talk to that Nicole who nervously clicked Publish, I’d tell her she was about to begin the most challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and fulfilling career she could have imagined.

Today feels less like looking backward and more like standing on another starting line. In just a few weeks, Kylie will become book #99. Somewhere beyond that is book #100. After that… who knows?